Joseph Bates and I had finished at the same college nine years ago, and had been fortunate enough to secure employment in a large chemical works in Detroit where we had each attained positions of trust and influence. Joe , having established a home, had very kindly extended its hospitality to me, and he and I were spending this evening in my apartments. " J o e , " I said, "you ought to be a ve...

research assistance, and to John Broome, Howard Chang, Robert Hahn, James Hammitt, Eric Posner, Chris Sanchirico, Amy Sinden, Cass Sunstein, and Reed Shuldiner for very helpful comments and conversations. This Article was written prior to the publication of JOHN BROOME, WEIGHING LIVES (2004), a rich and systematic philosophical treatment of the problem of measuring well-being and the impact of ...